LOST in the Shuffle: IN SUPPORT OF CHILDREN IN TRANSITION Parent Resource Manual & Workshop Guide LOST IN THE SHUFFLE: In Support of Children in Transition Resource Manual & Workshop Guide March 2014 ISBN: 978-1-894199-26-1 Social Planning Toronto 2 Carlton Street, Suite 1001 Toronto, Ontario M5B 1J3 [email protected] www.socialplanningtoronto.org Social Planning Toronto (SPT) is a non-profit community organization committed to building a civic society in which diversity, equity, social and economic justice, interdependence and active civic participation are central. SPT works with diverse communities, promotes civic engagement, engages in community-based research and conducts policy analysis with the aim of improving the quality of life of all Toronto residents. For more information contact Lesley Johnston, Social Planning Toronto, [email protected], 416- 351-0095x.216. Funding Support This project was funded by the: Toronto Community Foundation, Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth Our thanks also to the United Way, the City of Toronto and the Ontario Trillium Foundation, our key funding partners. Lost in the Shuffle: In Support of Children in Transition Resource Manual & Workshop Guide 2 Acknowledgements WRITING TEAM Raluca Bejan, Research Consultant, Social Planning Toronto Lesley Johnston, Research and Policy Analyst – Education, Social Planning Toronto Sharma Queiser, Intern, Social Planning Toronto Neelam Ratansi, Child and Family Therapist, Aisling Discoveries Child and Family Centre Editor: Miriam DiGuiseppe, President, Board of Directors, Social Planning Toronto RESEARCH SUPPORT AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE John Campey, Executive Director, Social Planning Toronto Paula Carrie, Manager Community Support and Program Development, Aisling Discoveries Child and Family Centre Miriam DiGuiseppe, President, Board of Directors, Social Planning Toronto Diane Dyson, Director, Research & Public Policy, WoodGreen Community Services Mary El Milosh, Retired Vice-Principal, Toronto District School Board REPORT LAYOUT AND DESIGN Miriam DiGiuseppe, President, Board of Directors, Social Planning Toronto SPECIAL THANKS For reviewing the document and providing valuable advice: Vassa Blandizzi, Community Child Therapist, Aisling Discoveries Child and Family Centre Irwin Elman, Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth Sarah Liddell, Child and Family Therapist, Aisling Discoveries Child and Family Centre Rhonda Roffey, Justice of the Peace Michael Shapcott, Director, Affordable Housing and Social Innovation, Wellesley Institute For cover design: Sharma Queiser, Intern, Social Planning Toronto For sharing their insights and helping us to evaluate the manual and workshop, the participating staff from: City of Toronto Shelter – Birkdale Residence Violence Against Women Shelter – Dr. Roz’s Healing Place Toronto District School Board For sharing their stories and experience with us: All participating parents Lost in the Shuffle: In Support of Children in Transition Resource Manual & Workshop Guide 3 Table of Contents Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................... 3 Table of Contents ................................................................................................................. 4 About this Resource ............................................................................................................. 6 Section 1: Strategies for Assisting Children .......................................................................... 8 Key Points and Questions ................................................................................................................ 9 Glossary of Terms and Their Impact on Families ........................................................................... 11 Roles Children May Play within Families ........................................................................................ 17 The Potential Impacts of Trauma on Children ................................................................................ 18 Children’s Coping Skills and Parent Strategies .............................................................................. 19 Strategies for Promoting Resilience ............................................................................................... 22 Case Study ..................................................................................................................................... 24 Promising Practices ........................................................................................................................ 26 Promising Practices in Schools ......................................................................................... 26 Promising Practices in Shelters ......................................................................................... 28 Promising Practices for both Schools and Shelters ........................................................... 32 A Day in the Life of a School Liaison Worker ..................................................................... 33 Sample School Liaison Worker Job Description ................................................................ 35 Sample Student Academic Profile ..................................................................................... 38 Additional Resources ...................................................................................................................... 40 Section 2: Navigating the Education System ...................................................................... 45 Key Points and Questions .............................................................................................................. 46 Navigating the Education System: Information for Parents & Staff ................................................. 47 Toronto District School Board ............................................................................................ 48 Toronto Catholic District School Board .............................................................................. 63 Homework Support Options ............................................................................................................ 77 Additional Resources ...................................................................................................................... 80 Lost in the Shuffle: In Support of Children in Transition Resource Manual & Workshop Guide 4 Section 3: Navigating the Shelter System ........................................................................... 82 Key Points and Questions .............................................................................................................. 83 Shelter Services in Toronto ............................................................................................................ 84 City of Toronto Shelter Standards .................................................................................................. 86 Residents Rights and Responsibilities within the Shelter System ...................................... 86 Example of a Shelter’s Rules, Responsibilities and Complaints Procedure ....................... 88 Additional Resources ...................................................................................................................... 90 Section 4: Resource List for Parents ................................................................................... 92 Children’s Health Services .............................................................................................................. 93 Children’s Mental Health Services .................................................................................................. 93 Children’s Programs and Support Services .................................................................................... 96 Education and Academic Support for Children ............................................................................... 98 Parenting Resources ...................................................................................................................... 99 Advocates for Parents................................................................................................................... 101 General Services for Parents ........................................................................................................ 102 Appendix A: Lost in the Shuffle Original Report Summary ................................................ 103 Appendix B: Poverty and Homelessness in Toronto – Resources .................................... 119 Sample of Action on Poverty Profile ............................................................................................. 120 Homelessness in Toronto Factsheet ............................................................................................ 122 City of Toronto Shelter, Support and Housing Administration Complaint Form ............................ 123 Appendix C: Workshop Activities ...................................................................................... 125 Lost in the Shuffle: In Support of Children in Transition Resource Manual & Workshop Guide 5 About this Resource What it is: Lost in the Shuffle: In Support of Children in Transition is a resource manual and a workshop guide that aims to build a greater understanding of the barriers children living in shelters face in their attempts to be successful in school and provides strategies for school